In a recently published paper, UCSF Global Health Group’s Malaria Elimination Initiative writes that malaria elimination is possible within a generation.
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Read the full paper, published in The Lancet, here. 

On World Malaria Day, Regina Rabinovich, Director of the Malaria Elimination Initiative of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, discussed how innovative partnerships that bring together a broad range of actors could help pave the way for malaria elimination. She mentions the J.C. Flowers Foundation as one such partner. 

"With the support of different partners, surveillance, community treatment, and high levels of vector control can be brought together effectively, as shown by the promising results emerging from several highly affected countries. The feasibility of malaria elimination will be tested in Sub-Saharan countries, where the challenges are greatest.  In Zambia, for example, the program is funded by the Global Fund, the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the J.C. Flowers Foundation, as well as significant national contributions; in Mozambique, elimination efforts are supported by funders such as the Global Fund, PMI, La Caixa Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These multi-sector partnerships will be critical for the success of the malaria elimination endeavours."

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 ​To commemorate World Malaria Day, field teams from the Isdell:Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative (I:FCBMI) are attending celebrations and implementing various malaria control activities throughout the week.

In Angola, for example, Emilia Wime, Focal Point for the Trans-Kunene Malaria Initiative (TKMI) Angola, reported that TKMI Angola will be conducting RDTs at five separate malaria posts in the Municipality of Kwnhama, with the aim of performing tests on 200 people. In addition to conducting RDTs, the Angola team will be distributing flyers on malaria prevention and the use of mosquito nets. The town of Namacunde will be donating nets throughout World Malaria Day Activities. And lastly, the TKMI Angola team, in partnership with various churches, will be speaking with women regarding the importance of women in the fight against malaria.

In Zambia, Norah Mayaka, Program Coordinator for Lusaka, shared that various health centers will be conducting malaria sensitization, education, and testing and treatment. Additionally, the community of Mulobezi will be holding an event to celebrate the Community Award they received earlier this year at the I:FCBMI Annual Roundtable, for excellence in management of malaria.  

Stay tuned for more updates on World Malaria Day activities from I:FCBMI.

​Carole Wainaina, the United Nation’s Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, has long-supported the work of the Isdell:Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative. Last week, J.C. Flowers & Co. was honored to host Wainaina as a keynote speaker during its Annual Meeting.
 
Born in Kenya, Wainaina holds a broad array of leadership experience, and brings a unique perspective to the fight against malaria. She has more than two decades of national and international, corporate and non-profit leadership experience, having served as the Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the Executive Committee at Royal Phillips in the Netherlands from 2011 to 2014.
 
Wainaina started out her career at the Director of the Kenya Wildlife Service, and moved her way through a variety of leadership positions within Coca-Cola, including President of the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, and later, Group Human Resources Director for Europe.
 
As we are reminded this World Malaria Day, ending malaria for good requires a broad network of supporters. We are thankful for strong leaders and advocates like Carole Wainaina. 

Steve Davis, President and CEO of PATH says malaria could be the world's next great elimination story. 

"First, we’re combining and optimizing the best existing methods for malaria prevention and control and ensuring they reach the people who need them most. Next, to develop the science behind how to eliminate malaria in Africa, we’re piloting breakthrough strategies in collaboration with communities. This includes a trial of a mass treatment campaign in southern Zambia. By treating everyone in the trial villages, whether or not they have symptoms, we hope to interrupt the cycle of transmission. The results of this trial are due out very soon."

Read the full article here. 

​When Mr. Sangoma Ndibi contracted malaria, he was so sick that his local health center admitted him for an entire week. His near-death experience with malaria led to an incredibly inspiring commitment to ensure that other members of his community do not suffer from the same preventable disease he did.
 
This February, the Isdell:Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative hosted Mr. Sangoma Ndibi at its 4th Annual Roundtable in Livingstone, Zambia. Here, he had the opportunity to share his story with a group of more than 40 malaria partners from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, and the U.S.
 
Mr. Sangoma, who lives in Zambezi, Zambia, told the audience he came from a family that believed all illness comes from bad spirits. Therefore, when Mr. Sangoma came down with malaria in 2010, his family believed he was bewitched, and invited witchdoctors into their home to treat him. Mr. Sangoma continued to grow sicker as the witchdoctors treated him with a variety of medicines and concoctions.
 
A community health worker soon discovered Mr. Sangoma and brought him to a heath center against his family’s wishes. By the time he made it to the health center he was extremely sick. Fortunately, he was able to recover after a week of treatment.
 
Shortly after his experience with malaria, the Isdell:Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative was seeking volunteers in Zambezi to conduct malaria education and sensitization within the community. Mr. Sangoma was the first to volunteer, since he understood first hand the importance of informing community members about malaria prevention and treatment.
 
Volunteers like Mr. Sangoma are critical to the global fight to eliminate malaria. By spreading knowledge and awareness about malaria with his community, Mr. Sangoma is preventing unnecessary sickness and death.
 
The Isdell:Flowers Cross Border Malaria Initiative was honored to host Mr. Sangoma at this year’s Roundtable, and continues to be inspired by his message.